• Rogue Empresses: The Women Who Rewrote the Rules of Power

  • By: Quiet. Please
  • Podcast

Rogue Empresses: The Women Who Rewrote the Rules of Power

By: Quiet. Please
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Rogue Empresses: The Women Who Rewrote the Rules of Power explores the extraordinary stories of female rulers who defied expectations and transformed the political landscape of their eras. Hosted by Alex Calder, this three-part series examines how these remarkable women navigated deeply patriarchal societies to claim and maintain power traditionally reserved for men. Through Alex's engaging, conversational style, listeners discover how these rulers developed innovative strategies to legitimize their authority, outmaneuver their opponents, and create lasting legacies despite overwhelming gender barriers. With contemporary references and thought-provoking analysis, the series reveals not just what these women accomplished, but how their methods continue to resonate in today's discussions about gender, leadership, and power.

    Click here to browse handpicked Amazon finds inspired by this podcast series!
    https://amzn.to/424pzou




    https://www.quietperiodplease.com/
    Copyright 2025 Quiet. Please
    Show more Show less
Show more Show less
Episodes
  • Episode 3: Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen Who Married Her Kingdom

    Episode 3: Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen Who Married Her Kingdom
    Apr 15 2025
    Alex Calder examines how Elizabeth I transformed herself from a precarious princess into one of England's greatest monarchs during her 44-year reign. The episode explores Elizabeth's brilliant political strategy of turning her unmarried status into an asset by becoming the "Virgin Queen" married only to England, her pragmatic handling of religious division through the Elizabethan Settlement, and her careful balancing of foreign powers while nurturing English cultural flourishing. Alex reveals how Elizabeth masterfully controlled her image through portraits, pageantry, and performance, alternately emphasizing or transcending her gender as situations demanded. The episode demonstrates how Elizabeth outmaneuvered those who underestimated her—from councilors expecting her to marry quickly to the Spanish Armada—while creating a new model of female sovereignty that turned perceived weaknesses into sources of strength.
    Show more Show less
    26 mins
  • Episode 2: Wu Zetian: The Concubine Who Conquered China

    Episode 2: Wu Zetian: The Concubine Who Conquered China
    Apr 15 2025
    Alex Calder delves into the extraordinary rise of Wu Zetian, the only woman in 4,000 years of Chinese history to rule as emperor in her own right. The episode traces Wu's remarkable journey from fifth-tier concubine to absolute ruler of Tang Dynasty China, examining her ruthless methods for eliminating rivals alongside her surprisingly progressive governance. Alex explores how Wu legitimized her rule through Buddhist propaganda, expanded the civil service examination system, improved conditions for farmers, and strengthened China's defenses during her half-century of effective power. The episode also confronts Wu's complex legacy, from her posthumous vilification by Confucian historians to modern reassessments recognizing her as one of China's most capable rulers, revealing how exceptional women have been subject to different historical standards than their male counterparts.
    Show more Show less
    22 mins
  • Episode 1: Hatshepsut: Egypt's King Who Happened to Be a Woman

    Episode 1: Hatshepsut: Egypt's King Who Happened to Be a Woman
    Apr 15 2025
    Alex Calder unpacks the astonishing story of Hatshepsut, who transformed herself from a traditional queen regent into Egypt's first successful female pharaoh around 1478 BCE. The episode explores how Hatshepsut legitimized her unprecedented position through divine origin stories, strategic male imagery, and ambitious building projects including her magnificent mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Alex examines how this female king maintained power for over twenty years while preserving cosmic order in a society where kingship was inherently male, her complex relationship with her stepson Thutmose III, and the subsequent attempt to erase her from history. Through Hatshepsut's reign, listeners discover how exceptional women have been finding creative ways to navigate gender barriers throughout history.
    Show more Show less
    22 mins
adbl_web_global_use_to_activate_webcro768_stickypopup

What listeners say about Rogue Empresses: The Women Who Rewrote the Rules of Power

Average customer ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
No Reviews are Available